Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Susana Otalora

Starting my cake business was deeply personal and rooted in both love and loss. Before becoming a mother, I worked as an elementary bilingual teacher. But after having my daughter, my perspective shifted—I wanted to be fully present for her and enjoy those precious early years. The turning point came around her first birthday, when I lost my mom. That loss reshaped my priorities completely. Read More>>

Brianna Morenz

Starting my own business came from a mix of passion, purpose, and wanting more creative freedom. As a tattoo artist, I found myself naturally drawn to fine line and dainty, feminine designs. They felt like an extension of my own personal style and what I genuinely enjoyed creating. I quickly realized there was a real need for a space where women could feel safe, seen, and celebrated in the tattoo world. Read More>>

Martika Mitchell-Holmes

1. Following My Passion and Purpose
Massage therapy has always been more than a job to me—it’s a calling. I love helping people feel better in their bodies and more connected to their well-being. I realized that working for others limited how deeply I could serve my clients, so I decided to create a space where healing could happen on my terms, with my full energy behind it. Read More>>

Qiana Smith

I started Aqua Zen HTX because I wanted to create a space where people could truly relax and feel restored—mind and body. I saw a need for treatments that went deeper than the surface, and starting my own business gave me the freedom to offer something intentional, healing, and unique. Read More>>

Nidja Fisher

My decision to start my own business came from a very personal journey. After experiencing severe hair loss and short hair that was struggling to grow, I began developing my own herbal hair oil blend at home. Read More>>